The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-03-12
FROM WASHINGTON.
Some Notes from the Capitol on Leg
islafsion. and Other Items.


Some Notes from the Capitol on Leg
islafion, and Other Items.
The failure of the Deficiency Appropriation
bill is attributed to the stubbornness of Sena-
tor Edmunds. When the bill was under con-
sideration the last day be frequently called for
explanation of certain provisions, and when
they were being made went TO committee
room to examine the contents of the mystic
rious cabinet. His conduct oceasioned much
indignation.
The failure of the River and Harbor bill
will not interfere with operations affected by
that measure during the remainder of this
fiscal year.
Gov. Harris, in announcing his pair on
some question with Mr.. Edmunds, was inter-
rupted with a question as to how Mr.. Ed
munds would vote, when he replied with an
air of mock gravity, which caused excessive
laughter, "1he Senator from Vermont is
against everything, and | am for everything"
Senator Riddleberger also took prominent
part in the proceedings in executive session,
making characteristic comments on almost
any nomination that came up. He was anx-
ious for the confirmation of Michael Glennan
as postmaster at Norfolk, and Mr.. Glennan
was put through.
One of the greatest surprises in Congress
on the last day was the confirmation of Trot-
ter for recorder of deeds for this District.
Had action been taken on the nomination "a
hours earlier, it is quite certain Mr.. Trotter
would have been rejected by a three-fourths
vote. 1t is said that the Republican Senators
changed front because the Massachusetts
Senators informed them that the rejection of
Trotter would lose for the Republicans of
Massachusetts the entire colored vote of that
state, and, in all probability, make it Demo
cratic.
Both houses of Congress were in continuous
session from s o'clock Thursday night until
the limit of the session at u O'Clock noon on
Friday During much of the time there was
nothing important to do but wait for reports
of conference committees, and the members
whiled the hours in having as much fun as
possible. Mr.. Hatch, of Mississippi, occupied
the chair at one time while Speaker Carlisle
rested, and there was scramble for recogni-
4 ton. The Speaker pro TEN. would make no
agreement as 10 recognizing members, and II
depended on lung power to secure attention.
1 In grand chorus, composed of Scott of Penn
sylvania, Tucker and 0'Ferrall of Virginia,
| Tarsney of Michigan, Brown of Pennsylvania,
| Negley of the same state, Willis of Kentucky,
Reagan of Texas, Gibson of Maryland, and
many others, the Maryland member was VIC
torious He had privileged report from the
committee on accounts, which was finally
adopted when the bedlam was at once re-
newed.
An amusing scene occurred over propo-
sition by Breckinridge, of Arkansas, to sus-
pend the rules and pass bill to construct 9
bridge at Cairo, ILL., This measure seems to
have been of particular interest to all the
bantam members in the House, and for g
few minutes the "midgets, Durham of ILL
nois, O'Neill of Pennsylvania, Wheeler o.
Alabama, and several other feather weigh
members, were involved in lively but good
natured row over the question of considera
ton. O'Neill demanded the reading of tht
bill and report, both of which were lengthy
He had no sooner been prevailed upon u
withdraw his request than Durham made {
point that no quorum was present Little
Gen. Wheeler added to the confusion by at
tempting to Gallup another bill. In the meat
time the friends of the various contestant
were shouting, Go it, Shortly .'Stick tt
him, Breckenridge ETC., amid roars o
laughter on the floor and in the galleries
Finally the bill passed.
The effect of the failure of the de6cienc,
bill will be more serious than is generally be
lieved, inasmuch as it contained provision
for supplying pressing demands for posta
cards, stamps and other articles connected
with the postal service, the want of whicl
will, it is expected, seriously embarrass tn
department and the public. The legal ma
chinery of the government will also be mate
rally deranged during the remainder of tn
present fiscal year, as no money will be avail
able for jurors, witnesses or marshals' fees
and many prisoners-notably those confne
at Fort Smith, Ark,-cannot be tried 70
months to come. A number of soldiers
claims, aggregating ST00, 600, which had bee
certified by the treasury, will also fail of settle
ment. 1t will also prevent putting in opera
ton the free delivery system in places of 10,
600 population, like Frederick and Hagers
town, until after the regular appropriation
for the next fiscal year are available-afte
June 30.
Among the most interested of the spectator
around the Senate and the House in the closin
hours were numerous lobbyists, claim agent
and claimants interested in pending bills or j
>amendments to appropriation bills. The Dc
ficiency bill was loaded down with llittttseFFss :
which private individuals or corporation
we're interested. and its fate was NATURAL
awaited with the keenest interest. 1t wa
doubly tortayiag 10 many, after seeing thei
schemes pass safely the ordeal of the Senat
I and the House, TO have their hopes dashed t
the earth for want of few more minutes c
time. One well known lobbyist, who is sal
to have $780, 900 dependent on the passage Q
the bill, sat in the galleries of one or the othe
house from o'clock Thursday night unit
noon on Friday, and when the two house
were declared finally adjourned he rushe
hatless out of the Capitol as one frantic.
The aggregate of the appropriations mad
by the regular appropriation bills passed b
the Forty. ninth Congress is about $247 200,
) coo. This is exclusive Of the sums appropri
ated by the River and Harbor and Defcienc
| appropriation bills, which failed of enact
; ment. The appropriations for the currer
, fiscal year aggregate 1924 100000, whie
amount would have been equaled by the ar
priations voted by the last Congress had tn
! two bills mentioned become laws.
, Enough Presidential vetoes to fill ha
| bushel basket-l0l in all-on Saturday morr
/ ing were piled on the floor of the Clerk ofic
in the House wing Of the Capitol.